Online Accountants for Irish SMEs: Compliance Sorted, Growth Unlocked
We help small and growing businesses across Ireland stay on top of Revenue deadlines and CRO filings while actually understanding their numbers. Fully remote, fiercely responsive, and built on Xero.
24-Hour Response
Xero Specialists
Fixed, Transparent Fees
What You Get With Us
VAT, CT1 and B1 filed on time, every time
Never miss a Revenue deadline again
Real-time bookkeeping through Xero
Cloud software with bank integrations
Direct access to Chartered Accountants
No juniors, no account managers
You're running a business. The last thing you need is to chase your accountant.
First Accounts is an Irish accounting firm built for SMEs who want their compliance handled properly, their numbers updated in real time and their questions answered without waiting days.
We work entirely online, use Xero as our accounting platform, and we reply within 24 hours. Not as a marketing claim. As a rule.
Here's what we can take off your desk
Our Services
Everything your Irish business needs to stay compliant, efficient, and growing
Bookkeeping on Xero
We reconcile your bank transactions, capture receipts and keep your books current so you always know where you stand. No spreadsheets. No shoebox of receipts at year-end.
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VAT Returns & Tax Compliance
From VAT3 submissions to RCT and corporation tax, we handle your Revenue obligations and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
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Year-End Accounts & B1 Filing
We prepare your financial statements and file your B1 Annual Return with the CRO before the deadline hits. Late filing penalties? Not on our watch.
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Payroll Services
We process salaries, submit PSRs to Revenue, set up direct debits and prepare payslips. You get a payment schedule. Your staff get paid on time.
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Management Accounts & KPIs
Monthly or quarterly reports that show you what's actually happening in your business: cash runway, debtor days, margins and trends. Numbers you can act on.
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Accounting Health Checks
A one-off review of your books, processes and compliance status. We find the problems, explain the fixes and give you a clear path forward.
Request a Health Check >
Why Do Irish Business Owners Choose an Online Accountant?
Running a small business in Ireland means juggling a lot. SMEs account for 99.8% of all businesses in Ireland and employ over two-thirds of the workforce.
First Accounts exists because most of those business owners don't need a massive firm with layers of account managers. They need someone who actually responds, understands their numbers and doesn't let deadlines slip.
We're a remote accounting practice based in Maynooth, working with SMEs across Ireland, and our co-founders Colin and Mark Sweetman are both qualified Chartered Accountants who work directly with clients.
No juniors fielding your calls. No three-week wait for an answer.
We specialise in helping Irish businesses scaling from around half a million to five million in annual revenue. That's the stage where your books get complicated but you're not ready for a full-time finance director.
Why Clients Choose First Accounts
Replies within 24 hours, even if it's just to say we're working on it
Transparent pricing with no hidden extras
Strong internal processes so nothing gets forgotten
Friendly, non-judgemental communication
Fully remote with no need for office visits
Deep Xero expertise with bank feed integrations for Bank of Ireland and AIB
Real Results from Irish Businesses
Clear, measurable improvements in cash flow, tax efficiency, and financial visibility across a diverse range of real Irish businesses.
Project Management Consulting
Working with a project management consultancy, we uncovered €90k in VAT overpayments, improved cash flow through invoice finance, and introduced reporting that enabled faster, more confident decisions.
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What Services Does an Online Accountant in Ireland Provide?
A good online accountant handles the same work as any traditional firm, just without the travel time and the awkward wait in reception. At First Accounts, we cover the full scope of accounting and compliance services that Irish limited companies need.
On the compliance side, that means preparing and filing your CT1 Corporation Tax Return with Revenue, submitting your B1 Annual Return to the CRO with the required financial statements, and handling VAT returns on your behalf.
For context, your CT1 is due nine months after your accounting period ends, specifically by the 23rd of that ninth month. Your B1 must be filed within 56 days of your Annual Return Date, and late filing triggers automatic penalties plus the loss of your audit exemption for two years. These are deadlines you genuinely cannot afford to miss.
On the operational side, we provide bookkeeping through Xero, which means your bank transactions are reconciled regularly, your invoices are tracked and your figures are always current. We also run payroll, submit Payroll Submission Requests (PSRs) to Revenue and prepare payslips.
And for business owners who want to understand their numbers beyond compliance, we offer quarterly management accounts, KPI dashboards and cash flow forecasting.
Everything is cloud-based. You can see your books in real time. And when you have a question, you hear back within 24 hours.
Common Questions About Online Accountants in Ireland
Get answers to frequently asked questions about our services.
Do I still need to meet my accountant in person?
No. First Accounts is fully remote. We communicate via email, video call and phone. Most clients find this faster and more convenient than scheduling office visits.
Can you work with my existing Xero account?
Yes. We can pick up where your current setup leaves off or help you migrate from another system. Xero integrates directly with Irish banks like Bank of Ireland and AIB, so your bank feeds update automatically.
What happens if Revenue contacts me about my tax return?
We handle correspondence with Revenue on your behalf. If there's a query or review, we'll manage it and keep you informed.
How do you charge for your services?
We use transparent, fixed-fee pricing based on the scope of work. You'll know what you're paying before we start, with no surprise invoices. Our pricing is set using GoProposal so you can see exactly what's included.